Joseph Stevens has joined the firm as an Investor Engagement Manager. Joseph has previous experience in investor relations and fundraising, and commercial real estate lending. Joseph is responsible for overseeing the building, cultivation, and management of relationships with investors. Joseph holds a BA in Finance and Economics.
Oryx has let 4,500 sq ft of office space to pet insurance provider Vetsure at Helios Court, as demand for high quality, fully-fitted office space continues to remain robust. The transaction saw a new headline rent secured for the Hatfield area, with Oryx having carried out a CAT A+ office fit out, enabling Vetsure to move in immediately.
Helios Court is undergoing a £1.4 million asset management programme to comprehensively refurbish the building, which is 95% let to tenants including Schneider Electric. The upgrades will significantly improve its ESG credentials, eventually reducing the building’s carbon emissions by 75%. The remaining CAT A+ office suite is due to be released to market in Q1 2024.
Oryx has also completed two lease regears with existing tenants since taking ownership of the office block in 2020, securing DASI and Crohns & Colitis to longer-term deals.
Oryx is pleased to announce that it has acquired a c.5-acre freehold site in Milton Keynes, UK, to develop a 110,000 sq ft best-in-class logistics facility. The asset is strategically located in a prime South East logistics hub, halfway between London and the Midlands with direct access to the M1, where demand amongst distribution and manufacturing tenants remains robust.
The investment aligns with Oryx’ logistics focused investment theses, which seeks to capitalize on steadily growing occupier demand for modern small- to-mid sized logistics properties meeting modern requirements. Current market dynamics also allows investors to benefit from the recent stabilisation in land values, which has halved from its peak in certain locations, enabling an attractive entry point for development.
Guy Pickup has joined the firm as an Asset Manager. Prior to joining Oryx, Guy spent 9 years at British Land. Guy is responsible for the active management of the current portfolio and provides asset related technical input to investment underwriting. Guy is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Amani Hussain has joined the firm as an Investor Engagement Manager. Amani has previous experience in investor relations roles and started her career at PwC. Amani focuses on the firm’s corporate communications and client services.
Rafael Meyer-Schmidt has joined the firm as an Analyst Intern. Rafael is currently studying towards a Masters degree in Finance and Law at the Queen Mary University, alongside a Master of Laws (LLM) degree at the University of Copenhagen. He has previous work experience as a Legal Trainee at Accura, a Copenhagen based law firm.
Oryx is pleased to announce the acquisition of Kirkgate, a recently refurbished multi-let office building in central Epsom. The freehold property, acquired at below replacement cost, comprises 26,109 sq. ft. over ground and three upper floors and is fully let to six tenants.
Kirkgate is the fourth building in Oryx’ Greater London office portfolio, adhering to the firm’s strategy of acquiring multi-tenanted newly refurbished assets, or assets with refurbishment potential, in Greater London and the South East that are well positioned for occupational demand and capital value growth. In line with the targets of this portfolio, Kirkgate has already achieved an EPC rating of “B” and has proven its resilience in a post-Covid occupier world with close to half of current lease income signed during the pandemic.
Oryx are delighted to announce the refinancing of the 3 Bunhill Row investment with a sharia-compatible debt facility provided by Riyad Bank. The five-year facility, amounting to c.£64m, enabled equity to be crystallised and provides long-term stability for the asset. Oryx are looking forward to working closely with Riyad Bank and are actively seeking to acquire further assets in Central London and across the UK.
Oryx Real Estate Partners (“Oryx”), together with Trinova, have successfully refinanced the Greater London portfolio (Helios Court in Hatfield, Centrium 2 and Centrium 3 in St Albans) with a sharia-compliant facility provided by Ahli United Bank (UK) PLC. The refinancing optimises the capital stack and enables a considerable portion of equity capital to be returned to the investors. Oryx are looking forward to working closely with Ahli United and are actively seeking to add to this portfolio of well-situated and well-let office properties in and around the Greater London area.